Bird flu is a highly contagious virus, which is environmentally stable and potentially dangerous for life.
There is no clear understanding of the virus origin. There are original versions that H5N1 virus is a disastrous invention aimed at destruction of Arabic countries or that virus is spread by artificial way.
But leading research assistant of Russian federal agency for nature protection Evgeny Kuznetsov denies the version of intentional spread of new plague. He supposes that such experiments are not safe and, therefore, they are not expedient: no goal justifies actions leading to appearance of dangerous mutant forms of virus, which may initiate uncontrolled pandemic of the disease.
Meanwhile, Kuznetsov admits potential use of bird flu agent as a biological weapon. There are all necessary prerequisites for that: virus is highly contagious, harms human health and is stable to aggressive natural conditions. In fact virus is viable in low temperatures and may stay under water for a long time. It is considered that 1 gram of sick bird excrements is enough for infection of 1 million hens. Bird flu is placed to 4-th group of infectious diseases, therefore, it may be used as biological weapon.
Moreover, bird flu virus attacks have an unfavorable impact on economics of any country. Therefore, it can be used for elimination of the competitors. There is a hope that intentional use of virus with genome H5N1 is not a reality. Otherwise, epidemic will be uncontrolled.
sections: Nature & Health |